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he once reach Texas, military rule and misrule would fall paralyzed......

Let me ask you as one in common with yourselves, are you prepared to receive such a government as it may please the Commandant General Coss and his masters to give you and again receive a military officer as your governor; or will you support and maintain the officer your own voluntary vote placed in office & who now lies in prison on account of the vote made in his favor. I think by the feelings which I have that I can answer, you will never submit tamely to such

a course.

The object is to establish the Supreme Executive authority of the State in Texas. This is highly important and it behooves every man to strain every nerve to accomplish so desired an object. Then let me call upon you in furtherance of your interest, and in obedience to the orders we have received, to turn out immediately ORGANIZE and march to his relief, and bring him to a place of safety in this favored Texas ;.....

You will march to this place as soon as possible and wait for further orders.

Given at office in the town of San Felipe de Austin, the 21st day of June, 1835.

J. B. MILLER.

From the Texas Republican, June 27, 1835.

In another column the editor comments: "We think the Chief has been to precipitate in his call, in all cases where the interests of a community are concerned the people should be consulted before any measures are taken which may involve them in difficulty."

Mr. J. F. Perry:

H. AUSTIN TO J. F. PERRY.

COLUMBIA, 24 June, 1835.

An attempt has been made here to-day to involve us in an immediate Revolution, by sending troops forthwith in obedi

ence to a call by the chief of police to fight the federal forces a report & resolutions were produced cut and dried in caucus last night, compromitting us at once-I moved as an amendment-That the further consideration of the subject matter before the meeting should be postponed until the great body of the people of this municipality could be convened to express their sentiments as to the expediency of a measure involving the security of the rights, & property & the safety & lives of the families of the people, this was not admitted by the aggitators as an amendment, when it was determined to put the report & resolutions to vote first & then take the vote upon my motion, on division 2-3 were against their report. They then without taking a vote upon my motion so modified their resolution as to effect the same purpose which being agreed to, they appointed a committee to draft a report & resolutions to be proposed to the meeting on Sunday. It was proposed to add me & R. Williams. I declined to aid in forstalling the sentiments of the people wishing the meeting on Sunday ought to be left free to appoint their own committee & the people will reject their report on that ground if it be put to them. You and Pleasant McNeil must be here ....every one who can give a vote, for the cast is to be made which will lose or win all our hopes in Texas..... H. AUSTIN.2

From MS. J. 3, Austin Papers.

COLUMBIA MEETING (JUNE 23 1835).

[The mass now in favor of going slowly, adopting no measure till all have been consulted, appealing first to constituted authorities.]

At a meeting of the citizens held in the town of Columbia, on Tuesday the 23d of June, 1835, Silas Dinsmore, Jr., was called to the chair. On motion of John A. Wharton, seconded by Wm. H. Jack, Esq. (the letter of the Political

2

This meeting was held on the 23rd of June. Austin dates his letter one day too early.-E. C. B.

Chief being under consideration) the following resolutions were unanimously adopted:

Ist. Resolved, That in the sense of the present meeting it is inexpedient to adopt any measures of committal, until all the citizens of this Jurisdiction can be consulted in general meeting.

2nd. Resolved, That the Political Chief be requested to take the sense of the citizens of his Department, in regard to the most proper political measures to be adopted on the present occasion.

3d. Resolved, That we recommend to the citizens of Texas, union, concert, and moderation in the adoption of measures to meet the present crisis; and that we pledge our fortunes, lives and honors in support of such measures as the majority may adopt.

4th. Resolved, That a general meeting of the citizens of this Jurisdiction be called to take place in the town of Columbia, at 12 o'clock on Sunday, the 28th inst.

5th. Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to address a letter to the Political Chief, enclosing him a copy of these resolutions, and assuring him that he will find us at all times ready & prompt to discharge our duty as good citizens.

6th. Resolved, That the proceedings together with the Political Chief's letter be published in handbill form, in the Texas Republican.

On motion of Wm. J. Russell,

Henry Smith, Branch T. Archer, Silas Dinsmore, Jr., Robert H. Williams, W. H. Sledge, William H. Jack, and John A. Wharton, were appointed to draft a report for the next meeting.

On motion of Branch T. Archer, the thanks of the meeting were presented to the Chairman.

On motion the meeting adjourned until Sunday next, at 12 o'clock.

SILAS DINSMORE, Chairman. From the Texas Republican, June 27, 1835.

IMPORTANT.

FACTS new, and than which none can be more important, have been developed since the meeting of the people at Columbia, on the 23d instant.

At that time it was merely anticipated from circumstances, that Texas was threatened with impending ruin. Now, these anticipations are about to be too well realized.

That a law has been passed by the General Congress, by which the Colonists of Texas are disfranchised, is a matter that admits of no doubt. The object is easily seen by the most indifferent observer. We are virtually made aliens by its operation, and all the rights of citizens heretofore vested in us by law, are at one single blow prostrated. Under this pretext their soldiery will assume the right of expelling the inhabitants, and all the benefits resulting from years of toil and hardships are in a moment sacrificed.

From information received last night, which is entitled to the utmost credit, we understand that the troops under the command of General Coss are now embodying with the avowed intention of making a descent on Texas. Their numbers will be about three thousand; with Santa Anna probably at their head. They have been for some time making preparations for this movement and a large amount of public stores are now deposited at La Bahia.

The foreign vessels in the port of Matamoras have already been pressed into service for the purpose of transporting the troops.

It is contemplated that they will land at Labaca, in twenty or thirty days, and their headquarters will be established at Bexar.

There have lately been transported from Orleans to La Bahia about six hundred barrels of flour and a quantity of powder.

These facts are submitted without comment. They speak loudly for themselves. Their language cannot be misundestood. Let the people think and act for themselves. Let them ask what is to be done? The answer seems to be obvious. Organization can only be effected by the immediate establishment of a provisional government.

From the Texas Republican, June 27, 1835.

(To be Continued.)

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